Port Macquarie court house will be able to rapidly increase security at short notice following the arrival of a new portable metal detector.
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The state government has invested $67,000 in 13 portable metal detectors, which have been deployed to locations across NSW including Armidale, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Byron Bay, Dubbo, Katoomba, Lismore, Port Macquarie, the Supreme Court’s King St building in Sydney’s CBD, Taree, Tweed Heads and Wagga Wagga.
Port Macquarie sheriff’s officers will use the device to scan court users during high risk matters.
“The device takes as little as 15 minutes to set up and is just as effective as a permanently fixed metal detector,” said Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams
“The moveable machine could also be utilised at nearby courts if required.
“The portable metal detector weighs less than a fixed device and is compact and collapsible so it could be easily transported to other locations such as Kempsey and Wauchope.”
The rollout of the portable metal detectors follows a range of recent improvements to security in NSW courts.
Ballistics vests are also expected to be made available to sheriff’s officers by the end of the year.